Sealing devices for rotating members



June 7, 1960 G. E. TURPIN 2,939,730

SEALING DEVICES FOR ROTATING MEMBERS Filed Jan. 22, 1957 17 11 19 25 f 24 16 r 26 2 15 1@ 36 i9 f 7,.; 13 Se Y United States Patent O ce SEALING DEVICES FOR RDTATING MEMBERS Geoffrey Edgar Turpin, Sketty, Swansea, Wales, assigner a'fhe Steel Company of Wales Limited, Glamorgan,

Filed Jan. 22, 1957, Ser. No. 635,366 Claims priority, application Great Britain Oct. 12, 1956 8 Claims. (Cl. 286-11) This invention relates to sealing devices for rotary members such as shafts, and particularly to devices for sealing the openings in walls, partitions or other barriers, through which rotating members extend, to prevent the passage of iluid under pressure therethrough.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved seal which is extremely liexible and is unaffected by relatively large movements of the shafts in axial or radial directions.

lt is a particular object of the invention to provide a seal applicable for use with a rotating shaft extending through the wall of a tank containing liquids of a highly corrosive or sedimental nature. In such an arrangement it is important that few parts are in contact with the liquid and that escape of the liquid is prevented along the shaft. The seal of the present invention is designed to meet these requirements and the invention further provides a sealing device whose operation depends upon the hydrostatic pressure available from the liquid in the associated tank.

A still further object of the invent-ion is to provide a sealing device for use with corrosive liquids, the sealing device comprising parts which can be easily made of corrosion-resistant materials.

t According to one aspect of the invention a device for sealing an opening in a Wall and the like through which a rotary member extends, to prevent leakage of a fluid under pressure having access to one side of said wall, comprising a first sealing member engageable with said wall, a non-rotary second sealing member, a third sealing member in the form of a rubbing collar engageable with said second sealing memberV and secured in a fluidtight manner to said rotary member, an expansible annular bellows surrounding said rotary member on the side of said wall remote from said fluid, the bellows having radial end walls integrally connected at their outer edges to a ilexible external wall, at least one of said radial end Walls being movable axially of said rotary member, and means for admitting said uid to said bellows to act on said movable radial end wall to press the said sealing members into contact with one another and with other sealing surfaces.

ln one embodiment of the invention there is provided a sealing member in the shape of an annular bellows one part of which engages the wall of a tank or other liquid container. The other end of the bellows engages an annular memberforming the rotating part of the sealing device and secured to the rotating member.

In a second embodiment of the invention the expansible bellows forms part of the rotating portion of the sealing device and the axial movement of the end wall of the bellows is adapted to move a sealing ring into engagement with a sealing part fixed in relation to the wall of a liquid container.

1n a third embodiment of the invention the expansible bellows forms part of the non-rotatable portion of the seal and the axial movement of the wall of the bellows is adapted to move a non-rotatable sealing ring into en- `2,939,730 Patented June 7, 1960 ing portion of the sealing device.

These three embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying draw` ings in which Figures l, 2 and 3 show axial halfsections of the sealing device according to the iirst, second and third embodiments, respectively.

Each of the illustrated sealing devices is described in its application to the sealing of an opening through which a shaft extends from a tank containing a corrosive liquid, the iiuid pressure utilized to effect a seal being the hydro stat-ic pressure depending on the head of liquid in the tank above said opening.

it is to be understood that the illustrated devices may be applied to the sealing of shafts or other hollow or solid rotary bodies extending through the walls of pres sure vessels or through other walls, partitions or barriers through which it is desired to prevent the flow of iluid. It is also to be understood that modifications of the arrangement and construction of the parts of the device may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring generally to Figs. l to 3, a. shaft 1, connected `to an element 2 of apparatus which it is desired to rotate within a tank, extends through an opening l3 in the wall 4 of the tank. The periphery of the opening is spaced appreciably from the shaft, and an outer por'- tion 5 of the opening is of increased diameter to afford an outwardly facing shoulder 6. The inner and outer surfaces or the tank walls and the periphery of the opening 3 have a covering 7 of hard corrosion-resistant rubber. The shaft 1 has a covering of a similar material. Referring now to Fig. 1, the sealing device comprises generally an annular bellows 11, a sealing member 12 engageable with the tank wall 4, a second sealing member 13, and `a third sealing member in the form of a rubbing collar 14 which engages the member 13, and is secured in a huid-tight manner to the rotary shaft.

The annular bellows comprises a soft neoprene moulding having radial walls 15, 16 and a pair of external, U-shaped corrugations 1'7, 18 spaced apart by a Wire ring 19. The wall 15 has at its inner periphery an axial Vflange 2i) terminating in a nose which forms the aforesaid sealing member 12. The nose 12 engages the outer portion 5 of the opening and the shoulder 6. The bush 21 serves to centre the shaft "1 in the opening 3. The bush 21 has a flange 22 engaging the shoulder 6, and is made of corrosion-resistant material. A slight clearance 23 between the bush and the shaft permits liquid to pass from the tank to the interior of the bellows 11.

The wall 15 of the bellows is supported by a substantially rigid annular disc 24 having an axial ange 25 which is received in an undercut recess lin the ange 20 of the bellows. The wall 16 of the bellows is supported by a substantially rigid annular disc 26, the inner periphery of the wall 16 being received in an annular groove 27 in a collar which is an enlargement of the inner periphery of the disc 26, and forms the aforesaid second sealing member 13. The disc 26 has an external axial flange 28which embraces and supports the corrugation 18. A soft neoprene ring 29 of rectangular cross-section extends between the wall 15 and the collar 13 to prevent the bellows from collapsing inwardly. A plurality of apertures 30 permits communication between the interior of the tank and the interior of .the bellows. The ring 29 may be integral with the wall 15.

The means for securing the rubbing collar 14 to the shaft consists of a ring 31 of Z-shaped cross-section, which is made of a corrosion-resistant deformable material such as neoprene, and which comprises a central annular disc portion 32 having oppositely directed axial flanges 33, 34 at its inner and outer peripheries, respectively. flhe ilangev33 is clamped to the shaft by a bandclip 35, and the flange 34 is clamped to the rubbing collar 14 by a band-clip 36. The deformable nature of the Z-ring 31 provides a fluid-tight connection which may be enhanced by the provisionof grooves 37 in the collar 14 into which the materialV of the flange 34 is deformed.

The rubbingcollar 141is of carbon, and has a short axialextension' 38 which engages a radial face of the stationary sealingI collar 13. A longer coaxial extension 39.4 projects with clearance within the collar 13'.

ln assembling the sealing devicethe various parts are rst. threaded on the shaft when there is no liquid in the. tank, tov cause any hydrostatic pressure. Slight axial pressure is then exerted on the Z-ring 31 so as to bring allthe parts. into,v intimate contact with each other and with the wall 4 of the tank.

The `band-clips are then secured and tightened up. The. seal is now eifective and` the lapertured ring 29 on the bellowsl fully closesthe entrance to the bellows but isr operative to. allow the proper assembly of the parts. When the-liquid is placed in the tank the-liquid escapes from the ltank along the shaft and into the bellows through t-hevapertured ring. As. the` hydrostatic pressure builds upvinside; the bellows. an axial pressure is exerted through the radial walls thereof so as to compress the sealingA collar 13 against the rubbing collar 114 and to compress the sealing member 12, against the shoulder 6 of the tankvwall; The pressure of the liquid within the axialY flange of the bellows acts radially to force the sealing, member 12 against the wall 5 of the opening.

Referring to Fig. 2, the sealing device comprises generally anv lannular bellows 41, a sealing member 42 engageable with the; tank wall 4, a second sealing mem.- her 43 andV a. third sealing member in the form of a rubbingv collar 44 which engages the member 43 and is secured in a huid-tight manner to thel rotary shaft.

lIn this embodiment the annular bellows is included inthe rotary. component, of the sealing `device and comprises a soft neoprene moulding of U-shape in cross-section, and having radial walls 45, 46. The wall 45 has at its inner periphery an. axial iiange, 47 which isv clamped to the shaft 1- by a band-clip 48, whereby liquid is prevented from escaping from the bellows outwardly along the shaft., The wall 45V is supported by a substantially rigid. annular disc 49,k the inner periphery of which is receivedin a groove 50f in the ange 47. An axial extension 51 projects froml the-wall` 45 towards the vwall 46 to prevent collapse of4 the bellows. A plurality of radial grooves, 52 is prov-ided in the end face ofthe extension 51,in onder thatv communication between the tank and the in teriorf'of.A the bellows may be maintained, if the extension should come into contact with the 'wall 46, for example, when the bellows is subjectedl to manual pressure during assembly of the sealing device on the shaft.

The.A annular wall 46 has. intermediate of its width an external axial flange 53., and` has av slight clearance 5.4V between its inner periphery and the shaft. The wall; 46 isl supportedv yby a substantially rigidi annular disc,` 55, the inner periphery of which is. received in a groove 5e in the.v flange 53. The rubbing collar 44 fits within the flange 53 and is secured therein by a band-clip 57. The collar 44Y is of. carbon and has peripheral sealing grooves 5S- andan axial extension S9 adapted to engage a radial face; 60 of the stationary sealing: inem-l ber 43.

The sealing member 43 comprises a sleeve of corrosionre'sistant material which tits` within the enlarged portion 5 of the opening. The sleeve has a reduced tapered extension 6i which is connected by a steeper conical su-rface 62. to the cylindrical outer surface 63. A clearancev 6.4 between the sleeve and the shaft permits the passage of liquid from the tank to the bellows. The sealing member 42 comprises arneoprene O ring wh-ich is disposed at the juncture of. the'conical surfaces 61, 62 of the sleeve andi which is forced by the hydrostatic pressure lto ' 4 inthe bellows andrby thewedging action of thesaid surfaces into sealing contact with the shoulder 6 and the surface 5 of the opening.

The second embodiment functions in a similar manner to the first embodiment and- Iis assembled, as before, by threading the component parts on the shaft in their proper order, applying manual, pressure. to, the outermost ,component, and tightening the band-clips.

Referring t0 Fig. 3'the sealing device comprises generally an annular bellows 71', a sealing member 72 engageable with the tank wall 4, a second scaling member 73, and a third sealingmember4 in the formy of a rubbing collar 74 which. engages theV member 73 and is secured in a fluid-tight manner to the rotary shaft.

The annularY bellows comprisesaV soft neoprene moulding of Ll-shape in cross section, and having radial walls 7S, 76. The wall 75 has at its inner periphery an axial flange 7.7, and. isK supported byaA substantially rigid an nulardisc.78-, the inner periphery of which isY received in agroove79 in the flange 77. The flange hasa conical mouth 80;, whereby it is formed. with a wedge-shaped.

nose whichconstitutesthe aforesaidl sealing member 72. A sleeve 81, ofy corrosion-resistantl material, is ofi externally stepped-L formation so yas closely to engage the opening` 3 inA thewall 4, theenlarged outer partA 5 ofthe opening, and the shoulder 6. The sleeve has an external conical: surface 822 which forms with the opening surface 5i an recessinto which the sealingV nose'72 is adapted to be forced by. liquid; pressure acting on the bellows wall 75; A clearance 83 between the sleeveand' the shaft permitstheV access of liquid to the bellows.

The annular wall 76' has at its inner periphery an annular b oss84, extending towards the wall 75 to prevent collapsey ofi thev bellows, and provided with radial grooves 35 to` ensureaccess of` liquid' to theinterior of theL bellows. The walli76 issupported by a substantially rigid disc 86, the inner periphery of which is received in a groove.v 87 in an axially extendingv flange 88. A carbon ring or collarcomprising the aforesaid second sealing member 73: is located within a stepped bore-of the an-` nular flange 8S, and is secured therein by a band-clip 89;

The.. sealing ring 73 hasy a reduced extension 90 engaging a; radial. face ofi the rubbing collar 74 which is of: corrosion-resistant material and is secured to the shaft ina fluid-tight manner by a. Z-section ring 91 of a deformable corrosion-resistant material. The ring -91 comprises. a radial portion 92 and oppositely directed cylindricall portions 93, V94 which are claimped onto the rubbing collar 74 and shaft 1,` respectively, by bandclips 95, 96. AV reduced extension 97 of the rubbing collar 74 projects` within the stationary sealing ring 73. The. rings '73, 74 and 9'1 may be provided with grooves 98 to improve their sealingV qualities.

The sealing device comprises the third embodiment of the. invention, is; assembled' and functions in a similar manner tothe firstand second embodiments.

The sealing devices according to the invention are extremely efficient in:use andi dueto the absence of springs and like parts are most suitable for use with corrosive fluids as: all they parts which come in contact'therewith canY bel made of corrosion-resistant materials. It isl to be understood that the term corrosion-resistant materia is used herein*Y todenote a material resisting the action of a` corrosive tiuid which is present in the particularapparatus to which the sealing device is to be applied, Y

and`l thatYK such materials willV be chosen according to their suitability in relationv to a particular corrosive fluid. The component parts are' also extremely flexible and their iiexbility togetherA with the action of the fluid pressure in the bellows will Y accommodate relatively large movements of the shaft in axial or radial directions as well asv distortionV ofl the walls of the tank.

We claim `1. A device for sealing` an opening in a wall and the like through which a rotary member extends, to prevent leakage of a ud under pressure having access to one side of said wall, comprising a plurality of sealing members, an expansible annular bellows surrounding said rotary member on the side of said wall remote from said fluid, the bellows having radial end walls integrally connected at their outer edges to a ilexible external Wall, at least one f said radial end walls being movable axially of said rotary member, the said opening and ythe said rotary member having such relative dimensions as to provide a clearance between them through which said uid is admitted to the said bellows to act on said movable radial end wall to press the said sealing members into contact with one another, the movement of said radial end wall being elected solely by the pressure of said iluid, a substantially rigid annular disc supporting each of said radial end walls and secured at its inner periphery to said bellows, and a radially apertured ring extending lfrom one of said radial end walls towards said other radial end wall to prevent collapse of said bellows and to ensure permanent access of said fluid to the interior of said bellows.

2. A device for sealing an opening in a wall and the like through which a rotary member extends, to prevent leakage of a fluid under pressure having access to one side of said wall, comprising a iirst sealing member engageable with said wall, a non-rotary second sealing member, a third sealing member in the form of a rubbing collar engageable with said second sealing member and secured in a huid-tight manner to said rotary member, an expansible annular bellows surrounding said rotary member on the side of said wall remote from said iuid, the bellows having radial end walls integrally connected at their outer edges to a exible external wall, at least one of said radial end walls being movable axially of said rotary member, means for admitting said fluid to said bellows to act on said movable radial end wall to press the said sealing members into contact with one another and a radially apertured ring extending from one of said `radial end walls towards said other radial end wall to prevent collapse of said bellows and to ensure permanent access of said uid to the interior of said bellows.

3. A sealing device according to claim 2, including a substantially rigid annular disc supporting each of said radial end walls and secured at its inner periphery to said bellows.

4. A sealing device according to claim 2, wherein said iirst sealing member comprises an integral axial ange of one of said radial end walls which is adapted to engage a shoulder in the said opening.

5. A sealing device according to claim 2, wherein said rst sealing member comprises an integral axial flange of one of said radial end walls which is adapted -to engage a shoulder in the said opening, the inner periphery of one of said supporting discs being engaged in an undercut recess in said fiange, and wherein said second sealing member comprises an integral collar formed at the inner periphery of the other of said supporting discs.

6. A sealing device according to claim 2, wherein said rubbing collar is secured to said rotary member by a ring of deformable material having a radial disc-like central portion and oppositely extending cylindrical portions which embrace the rubbing collar and rotary member respectively, and are clamped thereto by band-clips.

7. A sealing device according to claim 2, wherein said second sealing member comprises a sleeve disposed at one end of the rubbing collar, said sleeve at its end remote from said rubbing collar having a reduced tapered extension which joins a steeper conical surface of said sleeve, an 0 ring constituting said rst sealing member being disposed at this juncture, whereby the wedging action of said tapered extension and conical surface force said O ring into sealing contact with the peripheral surface of said opening and with a shoulder in said opening.

8. A sealing device according to claim 2, wherein said first sealing member comprises an axial ange of one of said radial end walls, said ange having a conical mouth so as to form a wedge-shaped nose adapted to be received in an annular recess formed between said opening and the conical end of a sleeve of externally stepped formation tting within said opening and against a shoulder therein, said Second sealing member comprising a ring secured within a recess in an axial extension of said bellows by a band-clip on said extension.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,407,218 Beier Sept. 10, 1946 2,426,047 Payne Aug. 19, 1947 2,443,145 Payne June 8, 1948 2,574,808 Wolfe Nov. 13, 1951 2,707,118 Swartz et al. Apr. 26, 1955 2,740,648 Amblard Apr. 3, 1956 2,758,856 Payne et al Aug. 14, 1956 2,765,186 Wright Oct. 2, 1956 

